Honorable Mentions:
I can't mention every single show I watched throughout the decade and I can't put them all in the top ten, so here are some others that got left out but I still love.
Dead Like Me, Damages, CSI, Black Books, Harper's Island, Reba, Lipstick Jungle, Masters of Horror, Degrassi: The Next Generation
Ten
The O.C.
2003-2007
This is by far my favorite teen show, which I don't like many of to begin with but this was the first I remember really falling in love with and I feel it has aged extremely well. Some very memorable characters, couples, and iconic scenes that stay relevant to this day.
Nine
Nip/Tuck
2003-2010
This show is very outlandish, I guess is the best way to put it. None of the characters are particularly likeable, in fact all of them can be pretty despicable but I think the way that this show was made and the intense (if a little offbeat) storylines make it enjoyable.
Eight
Desperate Housewives
2004-2012
Of all the shows here, this one I never in a million years expected to love as much as I do. Overall, I don't get that involved with serial dramas but I got invested with this one from the very beginning. There is some amazing storytelling going on here with some intense mysteries and hilarious comedic moments.
Seven
Rosemary & Thyme
2003-2006
Crime solving are my favorite type of tv shows. Something about the crime of the week is very comforting. Throw in beautiful gardens and a very quaint English setting and I'm sold. Also the link is the most relaxing piece of music I've ever heard. My only complaint is there weren't enough episodes!
Six
My Name is Earl
2005-2009
This is another show I never expected to love as much as I do. Years ago when I was definitely NOT stalking my way through Ben Foster's filmography, I came across this. After I watched his two-parter episode I found that I actually liked it so I continued with the rest of the show. First of all, I love the entire premise, the characters are all amazing in their own way, and the situations they're put in are hilarious. The only reason this was not in the top five for me is the season 3 can kind of be a hit or miss. I could have done without the jail episodes.
Five
Ghost Whisperer
2005-2010
This show is so perfect. Jennifer Love Hewitt is my goddess! I love horror, and I love cozy quaint cute things and this show melds the two genres perfectly. Plus my favorite female character and all-time favorite TV couple come from this show. I miss it.
Four
Law & Order: Criminal Intent
2001-2011
Unpopular opinions but I think this is definitely the best Law & Order and I love Bobby. I love seeing the criminals side of things and watching how Bobby figures everything out is so much fun. And a testament to how great the show was, I still loved it when Goren & Eames were not the main detectives.
Three
Rome
2005-2007
As much as I love this show, and I LOVE it, I can rarely formulate my thoughts into coherence to explain why. It's just an excellent show all around with amazingly complex characters and a beautiful set. A beautiful and expensive set which caused its demise, as HBO could no longer afford it.
Two
CSI: Miami
2002-2012
I'm already on my second rewatch of this show and it's my favorite of the CSI franchise, even though it's easily the most ridiculed. But what other people poke fun at, I actually love about it. It's an aesthetically beautiful and colorful show, and I love love love the characters (except Delko who is kinda average). Unlike the other CSI's, this one is very flashy and more action packed and I like it. The more I watch, the more I fall in love.
One
24
2001-2010, 2014
My all-time favorite show! Ever. Period. No ifs, ands or buts. Nothing will ever be better. I can't explain and do enough justice to this perfect piece of history. Jack Bauer is the most complex and wonderful character of all-time and I'm just gonna end this article right now because I'm fangirling too hard. Thanks for reading!
